In Landover, Maryland, Jalen Hurts was forced to exit the game early in the first quarter for evaluation after sustaining a hit in the head during a 13-yard run. Despite initially refusing to leave the field, he was later ushered to the medical tent by officials and ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game, marking the first instance this season where he missed significant playing time due to injury. Following a closely contested match that resulted in a 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni announced he had no updates on Hurts’ condition.
In Hurts’ absence, quarterback Kenny Pickett stepped in and successfully completed a touchdown drive, capping it with a 3-yard pass to A.J. Brown, which extended the Eagles’ lead to 14-0. However, Pickett also faced adversity, almost suffering a rib injury while attempting to throw the ball late in the fourth quarter. He indicated plans for further tests on his ribs the following day. In a stroke of bad luck, the Eagles also saw running back Will Shipley sidelined for a concussion evaluation and edge rusher Josh Sweat leave the game midway through the second quarter with an ankle injury, although he later returned.
The injury concerns didn’t stop there, as defensive tackle Jordan Davis also appeared to tweak a leg injury but came back after the halftime break. It’s worth noting that Hurts has had previous encounters with injuries, having left the field for a concussion evaluation during the first meeting against Washington earlier in November but did not miss any plays then.
This series of injuries could pose significant challenges for the Eagles as they move forward, but it also presents an opportunity for resilience and teamwork, as other players may rise to the occasion in response to the challenges faced. The Eagles remain hopeful for Hurts’ quick recovery, as his leadership on the field is invaluable.
In summary, despite the tough loss and multiple injury setbacks, the team shows promise in their depth and ability to adapt, offering a silver lining as they approach the coming challenges in the season.